A senior Iranian official has called on Riyadh to overturn the death ruling handed down to prominent Saudi Shia cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr and not fuel tensions in the Muslim world any further

A senior Iranian official has called on Riyadh to overturn the death ruling handed down to prominent Saudi Shia cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr and not fuel tensions in the Muslim world any further.

“Relevant Saudi [judicial] officials are expected to adopt a realistic approach and prevent the execution of the [death] sentence and keep tensions in the Muslim world from escalating,” said Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.

He said the death ruling could raise Muslims’ sentiments and trigger international outcry.

“If the news [that the cleric has been sentenced to death] is true, that will undoubtedly hurt Muslims’ feelings and provoke international reaction,” the top diplomat noted.

He underlined that such moves will, by no means, help restore peace and tranquility to the restive Middle East region.